Melton sentenced for graveyard attack
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The defendant, Mark Melton, has been sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley to serve seven years on charges of robbery and theft. His wife and co-defendant, Debra Leverett Melton, will face a hearing on her case Aug. 23.
The sentence comes for the beating and robbery of Roger Reeves, who says he was ?set up? by the pair for robbery. Prosecutors say the Meltons lured the victim to Hills Creek Cemetery, attacked him and took his wallet containing over $100 and a food stamp card.
During his testimony in preliminary hearing earlier this year, Reeves said Mr. Melton had lived with him for a short time months before, but he kicked Melton out of his house. Reeves went on to say Mrs. Melton arrived at his home the night of his robbery and asked him to buy her some beer and cigarettes, which Reeves did, while riding around with the woman. The pair then arrived at the rural cemetery and Mrs. Melton reportedly got out of the car to smoke a cigarette.
?So we were sitting there on a gravestone talking and the next thing I know this big smash comes upside my head,? Reeves recalled, noting he blocked the second swing Mr. Melton took with the baseball bat and saw his face clearly.
After the beating and robbery, Reeves said he was left to die in the 17-degree temperatures and that he was saved only by crawling for help on his hands and knees.